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Skiers and snowboarders looking for a fresh cache of powder should hit the hillsides soon as big changes to the weather forecast are looming on the horizon.

Light snow showers will deliver another trace- to 1-inch through Monday, and then high pressure will rebuild over the state bringing mostly sunny and mild temperatures until Friday.

The snow pack melted away after the extremely wet weather last week, but regained strength of late with most ski areas receiving anywhere from 4- to 24-inches of snow. The snow pack still remains right at normal season levels so there is no need to fret heading into March and possibly well into spring.

At Mount Rainier National Park the gate at Longmire to Paradise was open Monday with chains required on 2WD vehicles at Cougar Rock. All vehicles are required to carry chains. The snow-play sliding hill at Paradise is generally open depending on daily weather conditions. Ranger-guided 1.8-mile snowshoe walks are available Saturdays, Sundays and holidays through March 27 at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. outside of the Jackson Visitor Center. Be sure to check the website for road conditions and restrictions before heading up. Through Monday, Paradise was covered with 103 inches of snow. For updates, go to www.nps.gov/mora/index.htm.

Skiers and snowboarders make their way down The Exterminator, a double black diamond run, at Crystal Mountain. (Lindsey Wasson/The Seattle Times)

Upcoming events

The Crystal Mountain ResortVertical Express for MS is Feb. 26-28. The event benefits Can Do Multiple Sclerosis, a national nonprofit and innovative provider of lifestyle empowerment programs that help families living with multiple sclerosis. Skiers and snowboarders (of any age or ability) can participate in a variety of on-snow activities including a Heuga Vertical Challenge. Details: www.mscando.org/crystal or http://crystalmountainresort.com or Eric Wiseman at skicrystalforms@yahoo.com.

The Stevens Pass Resort Hope on the Slopes Ski and Ride for the Cure is Feb. 27-28. This 24-hour event raises money and awareness for the American Cancer Society while participants test their endurance skiing and riding. Details: www.stevenspass.com.

The free Whistler-Blackcomb ResortFire and Ice Show is held every Sunday at 6:30 p.m. at the Whistler Village base between Whistler and Blackcomb Gondolas. The show features a mix of music with skiers and snowboarders showing off their acrobatic jumping through rings of fire. The Discover Whistler Days offer a 25 percent discount on select adult, youth and kids group lessons on Feb. 5; Feb. 20-March 11; and April 9-17. Details: www.whistlerblackcomb.com.\